Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more

Transfer payments for Governance and Institutions of Government*

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payments: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriations: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Performance information table.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

Grant for Band Supporting Funding: 2017-18

Grant to the Miawpukek Indian Band to support designated programs: To come

Contributions to supply public services in Indian Government Support and to build strong governance, administrative and accountability systems: 2017-18

Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014

Strategic Outcome: Support good governance, rights and interests of Indigenous peoples

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture: Governance and Institutions of Government

Description: This Program provides support to First Nation governments, as well as Indigenous governance institutions and organizations. The intent of this support is to facilitate capacity development in the Indigenous public service, the elected leadership, and entities that administer aggregate services on behalf of or to First Nation governments and their communities. Transparent and accountable First Nation governments attract investment, create opportunities, and effectively support their citizens. Transparent and accountable institutions and organizations strengthen the fabric of Indigenous governments across Canada, assist Indigenous communities and their governments in attracting investment, and support Indigenous participation in the Canadian economy. Ultimately, good governance practices are essential for active Indigenous participation in Canadian society and the economy.

Results achieved: Please refer to the Results: what we achieved section in the 2017-18 Departmental Results Report and the CIRNAC 2017-18 Departmental Results Report.

Audits completed or planned: In 2017-18 fiscal year, no audit work was completed or is currently planned for this program.

Evaluations completed or planned: The evaluation of the Implementation and Enforcement Supports for the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, formerly Evaluation of Matrimonial Real Property, a component of the Governance and Institutions of Government program was completed in fiscal year 2017–18. An evaluation of Indigenous Governance and Capacity is expected to be completed in March 2021.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: Twenty-five First Nation communities from across all regions participated in a data validation exercise to determine the true cost of governance for the modernization of the Band Support Funding program. Engagement is planned for 2018-19; a Governance Capacity Table Working Group is being created to co-develop an approach to modernizing the Indigenous Government Support Programs with the Assembly of First Nations.

Transfer payments for Other Claims*

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payments: Not applicable

Type of appropriations: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Planning information table.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

Contributions to support the construction and maintenance of community infrastructure: 2017-18

Strategic Outcome: Support good governance, rights and interests of Indigenous peoples

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture: Other Claims

Description: This Program addresses payments related to the resolution of litigation and/or out-of-court settlements for any claim that cannot be designated to any other existing department program. Key activities could include: the assessment of the merits of the claim; the completion of a settlement agreement where appropriate; payment of any monetary compensation and funding and implementation of related activities pursuant to the terms of a settlement agreement and/or direction by a Tribunal or court.

Results achieved: Please refer to the Results: what we achieved section in the 2017-18 Departmental Results Report and the CIRNAC 2017-18 Departmental Results Report.

Audits completed or planned: In 2017-18 fiscal year, no audit work was completed or is currently planned for this program.

Evaluations completed or planned: No evaluation was completed in the reporting year 2017-18. No evaluation is underway or planned for the program.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: Not applicable.

Comments on variances: The difference between Total authorities available for use and Actual spending primarily reflects funding that was not required in 2017-18 and will be re-profiled to future years when they will be available for the intended purpose (-$20.4 million).

Transfer payments for Education

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payments: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriations: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Performance information table.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

Grants and Contributions to Support First Nations and Inuit Post-secondary Educational Advancement: 2017-18

Grants and Contributions to Support First Nations Elementary and Secondary Educational Advancement: 2016-17

Grants and Contributions to Increase First Nations and Inuit Youth Participation in Education and Labour Market Opportunities: 2017-18

Strategic Outcome: Individual, family and community well-being for First Nations and Inuit

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture: Education

Description: This Program's overarching goal is to work in partnership with First Nations, provincial and territorial governments and other education stakeholders, to provide eligible First Nation and Inuit students with support in order to achieve educational outcomes that are comparable to those of other Canadians. The Education Program provides funding for culturally-appropriate elementary and secondary education for eligible First Nation students ordinarily resident on reserve, and financially supports post-secondary education for eligible First Nation and Inuit students.

Results achieved: Please refer to the Results: what we achieved section in the 2017-18 Departmental Results Report.

Audits completed or planned: An Audit of Elementary and Secondary Education Program was completed in May 2017. Currently, there are no future audits planned for the program.

Evaluations completed or planned: In 2017-18, an evaluation was not completed. However, the evaluations of the Elementary and Secondary Education program and Post-Secondary Education program are underway and expected to be completed in October 2018. An Employment and Social Development Canada-led Horizontal Evaluation of the Youth Employment Strategy is planned to be completed in March 2020.

Engagement of applicants and recipients:

The Education Information System (EIS), which houses all reported education-related information to improve results-based program management and facilitates tracking of education outcomes, was used by First Nations funding recipients to report on how Education programs were delivered in their communities. To ensure that recipients were able to use this system effectively, training and technical support were provided both in person and remotely by the Department's National Capital Region and regional offices.

Proposal-based programs administered by the department, including the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy, Cultural Education Centres Program, New Paths for Education Program, High-Cost Special Education Program, and Post-Secondary Partnerships Program maintained ongoing engagements with recipients through proposal applications.

Budget 2016 also introduced over $320.5 million of new funding into the Department. This facilitated increased engagement efforts with recipients through ongoing funding activities, including discussions on the types of real cost pressures that First Nations face, such as population increases and the cost of delivering education services. Recipients were also engaged through various National Selection Committee processes in the New Paths for Education Program, the First Nation Student Success Program, the Education Partnerships Program and the Post-Secondary Partnerships Program, which provides the Department with detailed, current information on where recipients are seeking to deliver services to increase student success.

In 2017-18 Indigenous Services Canada funded 47 First Nations organizations for partnership or capacity development work to transform First Nations education. The department continued discussions with the First Nations Education Steering Committee and the province of British Columbia to renew the 2012 Tripartite Education Framework Agreement. It is anticipated that the renewed Agreement will be in place to support First Nation students in British Columbia for the 2018-19 school year. In addition, the Department and the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission began working together in spring 2017 to transform the current education system of stand-alone schools, resulting in a May 18, 2018 agreement to establish a new First Nations school system in Alberta, which will begin operations in July 1, 2018.

The Government of Canada also worked closely with First Nation partners on a comprehensive engagement process to develop recommendations for strengthening on-reserve education. As part of the engagement process, the Department funded 37 Indigenous Representative Organizations for community-level discussions, and launched a national online survey that received over 1,700 responses. A final report of the survey results has been made publicly available on the Indigenous Services Canada website.

In addition, the Department worked jointly with First Nation partners to support technical task teams and regional technical discussions to discuss key education transformation issues such as funding mechanisms, statutory funding, measurement and mutual accountability, early childhood education, and post-secondary education. While the engagement process ended in March 2018, a number of technical task teams continue to convene to discuss education priorities.

Finally, leadership dialogue sessions were hosted in five regions across the country to convene Chief and council, senior level Indigenous Services Canada officials, and technical education experts. In all, the engagement process culminated in a co-developed policy proposal between the Department and the Assembly of First Nations which was endorsed by Chiefs-in-Assembly in December 2017. The co-developed policy framework will fundamentally change the way education is funded to ensure that it is more sufficient, predictable, and sustainable, while ensuring First Nations control of First Nations education.

Comments on variances: The difference between Total authorities available for use and Actual spending primarily reflects funding that was not required in 2017-18 and will be re-profiled to future years when they will be available for the intended purpose (-$3.0 million).

Transfer payments for Social Development

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payments: Grants and contributions

Type of appropriations: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Performance information table.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

Grants and Contributions to provide income support to on-reserve resident: 2015-16

Contributions to provide women, children and families with Protection and Prevention Services: 2016-17.

• First Nations Child Family Services: The department is making changes to the Terms and Conditions to remove references to previous discriminatory funding approaches, and to reflect the most recent Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders. New Terms and Conditions are being prepared as part of a Treasury Board submission is planned for fall 2018.
• Family Violence Prevention Program: Terms and Conditions for the program were renewed in 2016-17. In addition to the ordinary updates and revisions to key program policy and implementation documents, the Terms and Conditions for the Family Violence Prevention Program are currently under review and will be amended in order to support delivery and better meet the needs of stakeholders and program management.

Contributions for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2014

Strategic Outcome: Individual, family and community well-being for First Nations and Inuit

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture: Social Development

Description: This Program provides funding to four social sub-programs: Income Assistance, Assisted Living, First Nations Child and Family Services, and Family Violence Prevention. Together, these sub-programs assist First Nation individuals and communities in becoming more self-sufficient, protect individuals and families at risk of violence, provide prevention supports that allow individuals and families to better care for their children, and support greater participation in the labour market. The Program assists First Nation men, women and children to achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency in First Nation communities across Canada by providing funding for First Nations, First Nation organizations, provinces and others that provide individual and family services to on-reserve residents (and Yukon First Nation residents). These services help First Nation communities meet basic and special needs, support employability and participation in the workforce, and support the safety of individuals and families. Through these four social sub-programs, First Nations are better able to advance their own development, leverage opportunities and actively contribute to the broader Canadian economy and society.

Results achieved: Please refer to the Results: what we achieved section in the 2017-18 Departmental Results Report.

Audits completed or planned: In 2017-18 fiscal year, no audit work was completed or is currently planned for this program.

Evaluations completed or planned: The Public Health Agency of Canada-led Horizontal Evaluation of the Family Violence Initiative and the Public Safety Canada-led Evaluation of the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking were completed in the reporting year 2017-18. An Evaluation of Assisted Living is underway and expected to be completed in September 2018. An Evaluation of First Nations Child and Family Services is planned to be completed in March 2021. A PHAC-led Horizontal Evaluation of the Family Violence Initiative and an Evaluation of Income Assistance and an Evaluation of Family Violence are planned to be completed in March 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: As part of the Government's commitment to reforming the First Nations Child and Family Services Program to better meet children's needs, Indigenous Services Canada undertook a series of regional and national engagement activities. This included a Minister's Special Representative engagement with First Nations leadership, communities and youth, agencies and other service providers, and provinces/Yukon on how to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services program; an online survey on how to improve child and family services in Indigenous communities; and reports from several Indigenous Representative Organizations.

Minister Philpott convened a two-day emergency meeting on January 25 and 26, 2018 with Indigenous partners and Provincial and Territorial Ministers to identify shared priorities and a path forward in reforming Indigenous child and family services (with distinctions based approaches) to put the needs of children and families first. As a result of this meeting, the federal government committed to six points of action including shifting focus to prevention and early intervention and supporting Indigenous control of child welfare.

In collaboration with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Family Violence Prevention Program has supported the establishment of five new shelters serving First Nation communities in five different provinces. All projects are anticipated to be completed by March 31, 2019, with two shelters anticipated to become operational in fall 2018. The Program also provides core funding to a national organization in order to support shelters and their staff through training forums, prevention activities and research and collaboration with key partners. Through a Call for Proposals for off-reserve prevention projects, the Family Violence Prevention Program invited ongoing dialog with organizations for both the preparation of project submissions and after the selection process was complete. Additionally, the program has collaborated with stakeholders, such as personnel at various program-funded shelters, organizations offering prevention-related programming to Indigenous people, and the National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence to support effective and efficient program implementation.

In 2017-18, Indigenous Services Canada issued a call for proposals to continue case management and pre-employment supports for youth on reserve in receipt of Income Assistance clients. The Department continued to fund existing First Nation communities and organizations across the country that had participated in the initiative. Between 2013 and 2017 more than 10,400 on-reserve young adults received case management supports, which enabled approximately 7,300 to exit the program for employment, education or other reasons. Funding recipients were monitored through various mechanisms including on-site visits, desk reviews, and ongoing communications.

Indigenous Services Canada continued to participate in working groups in all three Maritime provinces to support the next steps towards First Nations-led regional policies on Income Assistance. These working groups comprised of First Nations; provincial governments; and subject matter experts.

Furthermore, the Department worked with the Assembly of First Nations to address existing data collection and reporting challenges for the Income Assistance program (with an improved data collection instrument expected in 2019-20). The government collaborated at a regional level with select First Nation communities on the program's proposed changes to the 2019-20 Income Assistance Report. These collaboration activities took place from November 2017 to March 2018. Discussions with the Assembly of First Nations regarding the program reporting form for the Assisted Living program are ongoing. Improvements to the Income Assistance and Assisted Living program's reporting form is a priority for the Technical Working Group on Social Development, which is the joint Assembly of First Nations working group.

Through the Jordan's Principle Action Table, chaired by the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous Services has worked in partnership to co-develop long-term policy options for Jordan's Principle. The Action Table meets monthly to work to develop these options, and has also undertaken two engagement processes across Canada, first to test possible options and then to validate the proposed policy approach. Engagement recipients included First Nations and First Nations organizations, both technical organizations and those comprised of leadership across the fields of health, social, and education. The policy options discussed will be finalized following the upcoming Jordan's Principle Summit in Winnipeg in September 2018, and used to help inform government decision making.

The Department has also been an active participant in regional tripartite tables/technical working groups, comprised of First Nations representatives, Indigenous Services and provinces.

Transfer payments for Infrastructure and Capacity*

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payments: Contributions

Type of appropriations: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Performance information table.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

(S) Indian Annuities Treaty Payments: 2017-18

Contributions to support the construction and maintenance of community infrastructure: 2017-18

Contributions for emergency management assistance for activities on reserves: 2017-18

(S) Contributions in connection with First Nations infrastructure: 2017-18

Contribution for the purpose of consultation and policy development: 2017-18

Strategic Outcome: Full participation of First Nations, Métis, Non-Status Indians and Inuit individuals and communities in the economy

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture: Infrastructure and Capacity

Description: This Program provides funding and advisory assistance to First Nation communities for the construction, acquisition, operation and maintenance of community infrastructure assets on reserves. These assets include drinking water systems, wastewater systems and community buildings. The Program also includes support for emergency management assistance, climate change adaptation projects and funding and advisory support for water and wastewater systems, education facilities, housing and other community infrastructure such as roads and bridges, electrification, and community buildings (these four sub-programs are collectively known as the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program). Ultimately, this Program enables First Nations to participate more fully in the Canadian economy by establishing infrastructure that meets established standards, and the needs of First Nation communities.

Results achieved: Please refer to the Results: what we achieved section in the 2017-18 Departmental Results Report and the CIRNAC 2017-18 Departmental Results Report.

Audits completed or planned: In 2017-18 fiscal year, no audit work was completed or is currently planned for this program.

Evaluations completed or planned: An evaluation was not completed in the reporting year 2017-18.

An Evaluation of Water and Wastewater (formerly Evaluation of the Infrastructure and Capacity Program – Water and Wastewater) is planned to be completed in March 2020. An Evaluation of Infrastructure (formerly Evaluation of Education Facilities and Community Infrastructure (Other community infrastructure and Activities)) and an Evaluation of Emergency Management Assistance are planned to be completed in March 2022.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: In 2017-18, the Department carried out face-to-face engagement sessions on the review of the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act on a region-by-region basis with Indigenous representative regional organizations. The objective was to determine, in partnership, a way forward to secure protection for safe drinking water for residents of First Nation communities. Four regional engagement sessions were held: two each in British Columbia and in the Atlantic regions.

To continue these efforts, in 2018-19, the Department will support the Assembly of First Nations as the lead in the engagement approach and process with affiliated First Nations. The Department will also continue to lead regional engagement sessions, on request, including with Self-Governing First Nations. Upon conclusion of the engagements, the Department and First Nations will collaborate on the outcomes. This could include developing elements of new federal drinking water legislation.

In-person national and regional engagement meetings to discuss the long-term implementation of on-reserve infrastructure reform options were carried out in 2016-17 and continued into 2017-18. Engagements were conducted in British Columbia to explore options for the transfer of control and management of First Nation infrastructure service delivery to the British Columbia Housing and Infrastructure Council. The engagements identified deficiencies in the current service delivery programs and potential models to transfer services to a First Nation Institution. Secondly, initial engagements with indigenous and non-indigenous fire protection experts in Winter 2018 indicated support for the creation of an Indigenous Fire Marshal's Office.

In 2017-18, the Emergency Management Assistance Program participated in several informal engagement sessions with First Nation partners and third party stakeholders, including an engagement session with First Nation partners from the Kamloops region of British Columbia following the 2017 wildfires, and engagement activities with many First Nation communities and Tribal Councils across Saskatchewan. In addition, representatives from the Emergency Management Assistance Program engaged with industry experts and First Nation partners while attending the Manitoba flood forum; the 2018 Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management Forum; the Up North on Climate Conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario; the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction's 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction; and participated in monthly meetings with the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council on issues related to emergency management among other areas of interest.

The engagement session organized by the British Columbia government hosted a wide range of stakeholders and First Nation partners in Kamloops to produce a final report on lessons learned and plan for the upcoming fire and flood season. During those meetings, stakeholders and First Nation partners discussed several areas of concern and improvement to consider and integrate in planning for upcoming events such as: communications; logistics; knowledge, understanding and expertise; capacity; and inclusively, relationships and partnerships.

The objective of the informal engagement with Saskatchewan First Nations and Tribal Councils was to hear directly from Indigenous partners, what their priorities, concerns and issues are with the on-reserve emergency management services they receive. The Government of Canada sought information on best practices and preferred means of emergency management service delivery. This information will support the internal First Nation engagement work that is going to be conducted as Saskatchewan First Nations determine how they wish to be reflected in a trilateral emergency management service agreement.

The Emergency Management Assistance Program also attended the Canadian Risk and Hazards Network Annual Symposium in Halifax, Nova Scotia where officials presented on new Emergency Management Assistance Program policy initiatives and research, highlighting the discrepancy between the number of on-reserve community members who are displaced by emergency events, compared to those living off-reserve. In addition, the Emergency Management Assistance Program also continued to engage with provinces, territories, First Nation, and third party organizations towards the development of emergency management service agreements. Through these discussions, a trilateral agreement was signed in the province of British Columbia.

Information on engagements regarding the First Nation Adapt program can be found in the 2017-18 CIRNAC Supplementary Information Tables.

Comments on variances: The difference between Total authorities available for use and Actual spending primarily reflects funding for the Operation Return Home that was not required in 2017-18 and will be re-profiled to future years when they will be available for the intended purpose (-$29.5 million).

Transfer payments for Urban Indigenous Participation

Start date/end date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payments: Contributions

Type of appropriations: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Performance information table.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

Contributions to support the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples: 2017-18

Strategic Outcome: Full participation of First Nations, Métis, Non-Status Indians and Inuit individuals and communities in the economy

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture: Urban Indigenous Participation

Description: This Program supports participation of urban Indigenous individuals and communities in the economy. It is comprised of two streams: Community Capacity Support and Urban Partnerships. The Community Capacity Support stream provides funding to urban Indigenous community organizations to deliver programs and services that are designed to remove barriers and encourage innovative partnerships. The Urban Partnerships stream is comprised of a planning component and an implementation component. The planning component supports communities with multi-stakeholder engagement (private sector, municipalities, Indigenous groups) in the design and development of regional strategic plans and the identification of community priorities. These plans are then shared with the National Association of Friendship Centres which, in turn, implements the priorities through community projects.

Please note, this Program ended in March 2017 and the new Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples program was implemented to replace it. The Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples supports front-line Indigenous Service Delivery Organizations that provide programs and services to urban Indigenous Canadians. It is designed to assist First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit, and Métis living in or transitioning to urban centers. It is comprised of four program streams: Organizational Capacity; Programs and Services; Coalitions; and Research and Innovation.

The Organizational Capacity stream provides core funding to Indigenous organizations, including Friendship Centres that deliver programs and services to urban Indigenous peoples. The Programs and Services stream provides project funding to organizations for a range of programs and services that target six key areas: women, vulnerable populations (e.g. seniors), youth, transition services, outreach programs and community wellness. The Coalitions stream supports local coalitions that bring together stakeholders to identify local priorities, and ensure efficient delivery of programs and services. The Research and Innovation stream provides funding to better understand the urban Indigenous reality, gather information on best practices, methodologies and programming approaches, as well as pilot innovative programs and services.

The department is also working to improve horizontal linkages with federal departments that deliver urban Indigenous programming, through an interdepartmental working group. Through its targeted support, the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples will directly contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic opportunities for urban Indigenous Canadians.

Results achieved: Please refer to the Results: what we achieved section in the 2017–18 Departmental Results Report.

Audits completed or planned: In 2017-18 fiscal year, no audit work was completed or is currently planned for this program.

Evaluations completed or planned: An evaluation was not completed in the reporting year 2017-18. An Evaluation of Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples is planned to be completed in March 2022.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: Budget 2017 announced an investment of $118.5 million over five years in Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples which maintains the funding at $53 million per year. The new programming, launched in 2017-18, was developed using, among other things, feedback received during the 2016 Urban Aboriginal Strategy engagement process. Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples provides support to address challenges faced by some of the most at-risk community members, including Indigenous women. As well, the program supports organizations that offer programs and services to help meet the needs of urban Indigenous Peoples and facilitate their transition to life in an urban centre. The Program launched an open call for proposals and utilized the list of participants from the comprehensive engagement process from 2016, and a social media strategy to promote it.

Transfer payments for First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payments: Contributions

Type of appropriations: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Performance information table.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

Contributions for First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care: 2017-18

Strategic Outcome: First Nations and Inuit communities and individuals receive health services and benefits that are responsive to their needs so as to improve their health status

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture: First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care

Description: The Primary Health Care Authority funds a suite of programs, services and strategies provided primarily to First Nations and Inuit individuals, families, and communities living on-reserve or in Inuit communities. It encompasses health promotion and disease prevention programs to improve health outcomes and reduce health risks; public health protection, including monitoring and surveillance, to prevent and/or mitigate human health risks associated with communicable diseases and exposure to environmental hazards, and health-related impacts of climate change; and primary care where individuals are provided diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative, supportive, palliative/end-of-life care, and referral services.

Results achieved: Please refer to the Results: what we achieved section in the 2017-18 Departmental Results Report.

Audits completed or planned: No audit was completed in the 2017-18 fiscal year. An Audit of First Nations and Inuit Youth Mental Health Programming is planned for completion in 2018-19. Future audits include, an Audit of Primary Care Services (2019-20) and an Audit of National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (2019-20).

Evaluations completed or planned: No evaluation was completed in the reporting year 2017-18. An Evaluation of Clinical and Client Care is expected to be completed in August 2018. An Evaluation of Home and Community Care is expected to be completed in October 2018. The Case Studies on Delivery Models for Jordan's Principle – A Child First Initiative is expected to be completed November 2018. An Evaluation of Healthy Living and an Evaluation of Communicable Disease Control and Management are planned to be completed in March 2020. An Evaluation of Mental Wellness, an Evaluation of Environmental Health and an Evaluation of Healthy Child Development are planned to be completed in March 2021.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: The Indigenous Services Canada First Nations and Inuit Health Strategic Plan was developed collaboratively with First Nations and Inuit, provinces and territories, other federal departments and health and social organizations. This Strategic Plan outlines how Indigenous Services Canada plans to fulfill its core mandate of providing quality health services while strengthening its focus with key partners to advance mutual priorities for improved health. Indigenous Services Canada has implemented an Engagement Protocol with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and an Inuit Health Approach with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. These documents guide engagement processes at the national level. At the regional level, regional partnership tables have been established which feed into planning and priority setting processes and play a key role in identifying where and how efforts are directed at the regional level.

Indigenous Services Canada continues to streamline and reduce reporting and administrative burdens associated with grants and contributions through the ISC and AFN Joint Forum on administrative and operative tools. Joint Forum work is led at the national level with input from First Nations and Inuit Health Branch programs and regions, AFN regional representatives, and ongoing consultations with other organizations such as the First Nations Information Governance Centre.

Comments on variances: The difference between Total authorities available for use and Actual spending primarily reflects funding for Jordan's Principle that was not required in 2017-18 and will be re-profiled to future years when they will be available for the intended purpose (-$18.0 million).

Transfer payments for First Nations and Inuit Supplementary Health Benefits

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payments: Contributions

Type of appropriations: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Performance information table.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2010-2011

Strategic Outcome: First Nations and Inuit communities and individuals receive health services and benefits that are responsive to their needs so as to improve their health status

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture: Supplementary Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit

Description: Indigenous Services Canada's Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program is a national program that provides registered First Nations and recognized Inuit resident in Canada with coverage for a range of medically necessary health related goods and services which are not otherwise available to them through other private plans or provincial/territorial health or social programs. NIHB Program benefits include prescription and over-the-counter medications, dental and vision care, medical supplies and equipment, mental health counselling, and transportation to access medically required health services that are not available on reserve or in the community of residence.

Results achieved: Please refer to the Results: what we achieved section in the 2017-18 Departmental Results Report.

Audits completed or planned: In 2017-18 fiscal year, no audit work was completed or is currently planned for this program.

Evaluations completed or planned: No evaluation was completed in the reporting year 2017-18. An Evaluation of Supplementary Health Benefit is planned to be completed in March 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: Indigenous Services Canada worked collaboratively with the Assembly of First Nations and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and to engage them on the NIHB Program. This work included steering committee and secretariat meetings to advance the multi-year Joint Review of the NIHB Program with the AFN, the objectives of which are to enhance client access to benefits, identify and address gaps in health benefits, streamline service delivery to be more responsive to client needs, and increase program efficiencies.

Transfer payments for First Nations and Inuit Health Infrastructure Support

Start date/End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payments: Contributions

Type of appropriations: Transfer payments are voted unless otherwise denoted with an (S) in below Performance information table.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:

Contributions for First Nations and Inuit Health Infrastructure: 2017-18

Strategic Outcome: First Nations and Inuit communities and individuals receive health services and benefits that are responsive to their needs so as to improve their health status

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture: Health Infrastructure Support for First Nations and Inuit

Description: The Health Infrastructure Support Authority underpins the long-term vision of an integrated health system with greater First Nations and Inuit control by enhancing their capacity to design, manage, deliver and evaluate quality health programs and services. It provides the foundation to support the delivery of programs and services in First Nations communities and for individuals, and to promote innovation and partnerships in health care delivery to better meet the unique health needs of First Nations and Inuit. The funds are used for: planning and management for the delivery of quality health services; construction and maintenance of health facilities; research activities; encouraging Indigenous people to pursue health careers; investments in technologies to modernize health services; and integrating and realigning the governance of existing health services.

Results achieved: Please refer to the Results: what we achieved section in the 2017-18 Departmental Results Report.

Audits completed or planned: No audit was completed during the fiscal year. An Audit of Primary Care Services is planned for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

Evaluations completed or planned: No evaluation was completed in the reporting year 2017-18. An Evaluation of Health Planning, Quality Management and Systems Integration (is planned to be completed in March 2020), an Evaluation of Infrastructure and an Evaluation of e-Health Infostructure is planned to be completed in March 2022 and an Evaluation of British Columbia Tripartite Governance is planned to be completed in March 2023.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: The Indigenous Services Canada First Nations and Inuit Health Strategic Plan was developed collaboratively with First Nations and Inuit, provinces and territories, other federal departments and health and social organizations. This Strategic Plan outlines how Indigenous Services Canada plans to fulfill its core mandate of providing quality health services while strengthening its focus with key partners to advance mutual priorities for improved health. Indigenous Services Canada signed an Engagement Protocol with the Assembly of First Nations and an Inuit Health Approach with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. These documents guide engagement processes at the national level. At the regional level, regional partnership tables have been established which feed into planning and priority setting processes and play a key role in identifying where and how efforts are directed at the regional level.

Through the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch-Assembly of First Nations Joint Forum, the Department continued to collaborate with national Indigenous organizations. In 2017-18, the Joint Forum provided input on the development of a revised Health and Wellness Planning (formerly Community Health Planning) Guide as well as a simplified renewal process for Block funding recipients. In 2018-19, the Department will continue its engagement efforts with the Joint Forum to reduce the reporting burden of recipients.